August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

Li Brannfors says this is the best ending to any of the 11 long-distance hikes he's done. The location is the last segment of the Pacific Northwest Trail: the strip of wilderness coastline in Olympic National Park. The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to The...

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

Li Brannfors says this is the best ending to any of the 11 long-distance hikes he's done. The location is the last segment of the Pacific Northwest Trail: the strip of wilderness coastline in Olympic National Park. The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to The...

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

Heart Lake, High Divide, Olympic National Park, WA. The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

View down Grand Creek Valley from near Obstruction Peak/Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, WA (not on regular Pacific Northwest Trail route--an alternate of my own creation to see a sampling of the best of Olympic). The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. This is part of the trail or proposed trail on Whidbey Island in Washington. This is from Fort Ebey State Park. Jamie Francis/The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. This is part of the trail or proposed trail on Whidbey Island in Washington. This is from Ebey's Landing State Park. This is from Fort Ebey State Park. Jamie Francis/The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. This is part of the trail or proposed trail on Whidbey Island in Washington. This is from Fort Ebey State Park. Jamie Francis/The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. This is part of the trail or proposed trail on Whidbey Island in Washington. This is from Ebey's Landing State Park. This is from Fort Ebey State Park. Jamie Francis/The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. This is part of the trail or proposed trail on Whidbey Island in Washington. This is seaweed from the bridges at Deception Pass. Jamie Francis/The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

A simple shelter and the simple life of long-distance hiking help you realize simple truths: life is beautiful. First light over Ross Lake from Pumpkin Camp, North Cascades National Park, Washington. The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

If views like this don't make your spirit sing, then kindly stay home. Self-portrait atop Lakeview Ridge in the Pasayten Wilderness, where the Pacific Crest and Pacific Northwest Trails overlap in synergistic grandeur. The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

Who said there are no bridged stream crossings on the Pacific Northwest Trail? Finding a little boost from Mother Nature across Chuchuwanteen Creek in the Pasayten Wilderness, northern Washington. The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

Stalks of wheat frame a sunset in the Kootenai River Valley, Idaho. The Pacific Northwest Trail visits pristine wilderness as well as bucolic rural scenes, giving a truer glimpse of all aspects of life in the Pacific Northwest. The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to...

August 05, 2010, 6:41PM

With few official monuments on the Pacific Northwest Trail, sometimes you have to make your own celebrations. Crossing from Montana into Idaho. The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:40PM

Hole-in-the-Wall & Mt Custer, Glacier National Park, MT (along the old main route of the Pacific Northwest Trail/current alternate loop around Kintla Lake). The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to The Oregonian

August 05, 2010, 6:40PM

Atsina Lake and Glenns Lake, Mokowanis River Valley, Glacier National Park, MT. The Pacific Northwest Trail runs 1,200 miles from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. Li Brannfors/Special to The Oregonian